Midland and South Western Junction Railway (M&SWJR)

[eastglosmog]

3 hours ago, KeithMacdonald said:

..............................

Is there some irony in that they need to ballast to reach Cricklade. Which was a loading point for gravel from the South Cerney area? Or would Cotswold gravel not be suitable track ballast?

 

................................

Probably not, it will be too rounded to give a good grip between pieces - crushed rock will be better.

[KeithMacdonald]

With the resources and contacts of @CME and Bottlewasher, we may yet discover more about the Top Secret Military Railway that went to Down Ampney airfield.

 

Meanwhile, on to Blunsdon ...

 

Quote

Blunsdon was one of the last stations to be opened by the Midland and South Western Junction Railway in 1895 on a railway that had opened in 1883. It was little more than a single-platform halt, and milk was the main traffic. It also had a single siding, used for such traffic as fertiliser and other agricultural requirements.

 

What wagons did GWR use for fertiliser?

 

 

 

Quote

It was also one of the first stations on the route to be closed. Regular passenger trains stopped calling in 1922, leaving one solitary passenger train service stopping at Blunsdon on a Sunday until 1924. The station closed completely on 1 August 1937 when goods traffic ceased.

 

Oh well, nice while it lasted. Thank goodness the Swindon and Cricklade Railway is making better use of it now.

 

Quote

The Swindon & Cricklade Railway Preservation Society was formed by a group of enthusiasts in November 1978 to reconstruct and preserve a section of the Midland & South Western Junction Railway ... The volunteer-operated railway has reopened three stations: Hayes Knoll, Taw Valley Halt and Blunsdon, the headquarters of the line. Hayes Knoll features a restored signalbox that is operational during special events and a running/restoration shed. The length of the restored line is a little under 2.5 miles (4.0 km).

 

https://swindon-cricklade-railway.org/

 

https://www.google.com/maps/@51.60558,-1.8422686,223m/data=!3m1!1e3

 

 

Edited November 1, 2022 by KeithMacdonald
RMWeb image disaster recovery

[KeithMacdonald]

Taw Valley Halt never existed on the M&SWJR, but the Swindon and Cricklade Railway has a temporary terminus there, while they sort out the proposed terminus at Mouldon Hill.

 

Quote

The restored line was extended to the site of the halt in 2012, and the halt was opened in 2014. The halt is at the point where the new track diverges from the original route of the Midland and South Western Junction Railway. There is a short siding on the original trackbed.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taw_Valley_Halt_railway_station

[KeithMacdonald]

Moredon Halt
 

Quote

 

Moredon Halt was built primarily for milk traffic and passenger services were not advertised, though it appears to have been used by infrequent passengers throughout its short life. It officially closed in September 1924 but the Oakley book referred to below indicates that passenger receipts were still recorded up to 1935.

 

The single-platform station faced a siding that led to Moredon power station and up 100 coal wagons arrived each day. The M&SWJR line as a whole closed to passengers in 1961, but coal deliveries to the power station remained until 1969.

 

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moredon_Halt_railway_station

 

None of the OS maps I can find online show much detail of the power station sidings or how coal was handled. Does anyone know where the coal came from?

 

This is from the 60-year old OS 1:10,560 (1949-1970) series

 

 

 

https://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=17&lat=51.58589&lon=-1.82799&layers=193&b=1

 

Swindon's Other Railway has the best I can find.

http://swindonsotherrailway.co.uk/mpsrl.html

 

Edited November 1, 2022 by KeithMacdonald
RMWeb image disaster recovery

[CME and Bottlewasher]

45 minutes ago, KeithMacdonald said:

With the resources and contacts of @CME and Bottlewasher, we may yet discover more about the Top Secret Military Railway that went to Down Ampney airfield.

 

Meanwhile, on to Blunsdon ...

 

 

What wagons did GWR use for fertiliser?

 

 

 

 

Oh well, nice while it lasted. Thank goodness the Swindon and Cricklade Railway is making better use of it now.

 

 

https://swindon-cricklade-railway.org/

 

https://www.google.com/maps/@51.60558,-1.8422686,223m/data=!3m1!1e3

 

 

Nice work Keith, good to see the MSWJR serialised this way.

 

My layout, Down Ampney, is more about the station and occasional MOD traffic, which trundles back and forth along the 'twig' to RAF Down Ampney (hidden in plain view) and back again, via the MSWJR to the mainline. For secret military railways? Some of my wagons do have chalk marks on them, 'BTJ', which is short for Box Tunnel Junction. Then there's Rudloe Manor and 'Corsham'. Since the 1980s, there's been the 'CCC' (Corsham Computer Centre). I can't, of course, state which is fact or fiction due to the Official Secrets Act. Certain other local airfields have underground facilities and even post the 'last ditch' certain local farms are not what they first appear to be

 

The power station at Moredon used to flood, or at least the local area did, even flash floods in summer - bit of a wildlife haven in some aspects now (those not built on). I'd have to hit the books to find where the coal came from. One could assume, South Wales and Midsomer Norton?

 

The MSWJR was well known for its milk traffic, due to lush growth on and around the lands that Chris mentions elsewhere, and parts of the Cotswolds.

 

The sand and gravel in the area, plus Cotswold stone was, in the main, used for local building works. As indeed was local clays for 'Swindon' and 'Purton' brick.

 

Hope that helps?

Edited March 2, 2021 by CME and Bottlewasher

[CME and Bottlewasher]

On 27/02/2021 at 13:29, KeithMacdonald said:

Next stop? Withington. Which is quite typical of all the stations on the M&SWJR. That is, for villages or small towns. Which never generated enough civilian traffic and revenue to make it long-term viable.

 

 

 

Ref : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Withington_railway_station_(Gloucestershire)

 

 

Looks like the typical passing loop and one small goods siding. Did the village have any notable industries or activities of interest for modellers? Hardly anything, except for the Fried Chicken And Chips.

 

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Withington,_Gloucestershire

 

Even that didn't last long.

 

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/gloucestershire/7587978.stm

 

is it the Curse Of The M&SWJR?

Withington hall - iirc on, near to the track bed, was, maybe still is, used by the Withington Narrow Gauge Modellers. I was a member at one time.

On 01/03/2021 at 09:13, Miss Prism said:

Siphons, with churns on the platform.

My father would be the one to answer more fully about 'Ciren', Cricklade et al. He has certainly told me stories of explots at Cricklade station. And yes you're right, milk churns and syphons, I recall still seeing churns on stands at the end of farm tracks, for collection, by road, when I was a small boy.

 

During the building of the M4, that fly in my modelling ointment I've chosen to ignore, my father and my uncle were both busy on those works. Father helped, iirc, establish a railhead at Swindon Town, or nearby, to off load aggregate trains. He provided specialist (for the times) plant hire equipment, that he went on a buying trip to France for. There are stories to tell about that too (iirc I wrote a letter/small piece in BRMsome time back). Some Iron Ore Tipplers were rebranded for such works too. And also diesels of course worked these trains. There are photos of 08s and Hymek's on the line. Father also tells me some of the trains were headed up by Westerns - but there's no photographic evidence of such (and memories are fading).

 

Edited March 5, 2021 by CME and Bottlewasher
typo/autocorrect issue

[KeithMacdonald]

34 minutes ago, CME and Bottlewasher said:

Then there's Rudloe Manor and 'Corsham'. Since the 1980s, there's been the 'CCC' (Corsham Computer Centre). I can't, of course, state which is fact or fiction due to the Official Secrets Act.

 

Shhh! Whatever you do, don't mention the Strategic Steam Reserve.

 

35 minutes ago, CME and Bottlewasher said:

Certain other local airfields have underground facilities and even post the 'last ditch' certain local farms are not what they first appear to be

 

Shhh! Some say there are roads beside other "deserted" airfields like RAF Blakehill Farm that still to this day have little signs that say "Government Property - No Admittance Without Prior Authority".

Cough.

 

 

[CME and Bottlewasher]

36 minutes ago, KeithMacdonald said:

 

Shhh! Whatever you do, don't mention the Strategic Steam Reserve.

 

 

Shhh! Some say there are roads beside other "deserted" airfields like RAF Blakehill Farm that still to this day have little signs that say "Government Property - No Admittance Without Prior Authority".

Cough.

 

 

Or the strategic diesel reserve?

 

Large woods not a hundred miles from here have had some strange goings on in recent years.

 

And most airfields in these areas were VERY busy in the 1980s, as were some of the <coughs> 'farms'. Even some older WWII airfields, that were operational and/or not long decommissioned had underground facilities, still in use. There is more I could say, but I suspect I'd be shot! There are also interesting connections to the railways and airfield fuel dumps too.

 

As I've mentioned before, my grandfather, uncle and father worked on many of the airfields hereabouts. Many of them are now decommissioned.

In all seriousness on the wildwest that can be the internet, although I'm amongst friends, for the sake of national security I wouldn't say much more.

[Miss Prism]

2 hours ago, KeithMacdonald said:

What wagons did GWR use for fertiliser?

 

Opens, sheeted.

[KeithMacdonald]

1 hour ago, CME and Bottlewasher said:

underground facilities, still in use. There is more I could say, but I suspect I'd be shot!

 

Listen very carefully. I shall say this only once!

 

Some of those facilities are already well documented and in the public domain now. The "Auxiliary Units" had bunkers all over Wiltshire and Gloucestshire. In fact, HQ for the whole operation was just two miles from Highworth Station, at Coleshill House. See https://www.staybehinds.com/

 

Back in 1941, my dear old Dad was busy guarding a northern zone of what was the Supermarine factory at South Marsdon.  All sorts of strange stuff passed by on its way up the line to Highworth (and beyond).

 

The Swindon Spitfire Story 

http://www.swindonweb.com/index.asp?m=8&s=116&ss=400

 

Be careful what you ask for at Highworth Post Office

https://www.staybehinds.com/article/highworth-post-office-swindon-advertiser-19-aug-2013

 

Be brave, mon ami!

 

[KeithMacdonald]

As yet another detour (nothing to do with M&SWJR), news from the Burlington Broadcasting Company:

 

"Wiltshire's Secret Underground City"

http://www.bbc.co.uk/wiltshire/content/articles/2005/12/14/burlington_nuclear_bunker_feature.shtml

 

[Fat Controller]

14 hours ago, CME and Bottlewasher said:

Whittington hall - iirc on, near to the track bed, was, maybe still is, used by the Withington Narrow Gauge Modellers. I was a member at one time.

My father would be the one to answer more fully about 'Ciren', Cricklade et al. He has certainly told me stories of explots at Cricklade station. And yes you're right, milk churns and syphons, I recall still seeing churns on stands at the end of farm tracks, for collection, by road, when I was a small boy.

 

During the building of the M4, that fly in my modelling ointment I've chosen to ignore, my father and my uncle were both busy on those works. Father helped, iirc, establish a railhead at Swindon Town, or nearby, to off load aggregate trains. He provided specialist (for the times) plant hire equipment, that he went on a buying trip to France for. There are stories to tell about that too (iirc I wrote a letter/small piece in BRMsome time back). Some Iron Ore Tipplers were rebranded for such works too. And also diesels of course worked these trains. There are photos of 08s and Hymek's on the line. Father also tells me some of the trains were headed up by Westerns - but there's no photographic evidence of such (and memories are fading).

 

Was the 'specialist plant' Poclain 360 degree wheeled excavators? These seem to have been used in a lot of locations

[Halvarras]

17 hours ago, KeithMacdonald said:

With the resources and contacts of @CME and Bottlewasher, we may yet discover more about the Top Secret Military Railway that went to Down Ampney airfield.

 

Meanwhile, on to Blunsdon ...

 

 

What wagons did GWR use for fertiliser?

 

 

 

I have read somewhere - probably in that small softback book I can't find - that the curvature of Blunsdon's single siding was severe - having viewed the site I can quite believe it. Hopefully the pick-up goods always arrived with enough wagons to 'do the business'........

Edited March 3, 2021 by Neil Phillips
Spelling error

[Halvarras]

Regarding Moredon Power Station, the 'Impermanent Ways' book I referred to in my earlier post contains colour photos taken in both directions from the Purton Road overbridge, taken in 1971. The view into the power station shows all of the infrastructure still in place and piles of coal - both photos show trackside vegetation taking over the loop and access rails. According to the captions the sidings were laid in 1928 and delivery of coal by rail ceased around 1969; power generation ended in 1973 and the chimney was felled in 1979. Curiously the 'main line' past the site clearly had polished rails in 1971, one wonders why. I recall reading that the route was occasionally used by Swindon Works for test running and evaluation - the Yorkshire Engine Company's 0-8-0 'Taurus' comes to mind and I think a photo of one of the two English Electric shunters, D0226 or D0227, at Rushey Platt turned up in TRACTION magazine some years back, and another of a Class 120 DMU at Withington. I believe the articles (there was more than one) identified Class 08 D4122 as working the last freight service to Cirencester. I should have these in the loft......I'm feeling an urge to go and find them now!

 

During my occasional walks at the Swindon end in the early 1970s I don't recall viewing the Moredon site myself, I was probably too upset at the sight of Maybach MD870s from dismembered Hymeks sitting on the ground just over the fence along the back of the Con Yard to walk that far!

[KeithMacdonald]

Rushey Platt, a familiar story
 

Quote

Rushey Platt was at the junction where the 1883 S&CER line branched off from the SM&AR link line between Swindon Town railway station and the main Great Western Railway station at Swindon. It had platforms on both the through S&CER line and the link, but the service between the two Swindon stations ceased after March 1885 because of the high fees the GWR charged the M&SWJR to run over its tracks, and that part of the station closed only 15 months after it had opened.

Passenger services at the through platforms of the station lasted only a further 20 years and were withdrawn in 1905: the station closed on 1 October 1905, the first station on the line to close to passengers. However, the station remained open for goods traffic, mainly milk, until the M&SWJR line closed to goods in 1964, and a private siding lasted even longer.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rushey_Platt_railway_station

 

More goods and milk.

 

 

 

For modelling, it might make a nice corner-of-a-room layout?

 

The railway path itself is still there, and in use, as the Swindon "Southern Flyer" cycle path (NCN 45)

 

https://www.swindontravelchoices.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/SouthernFlyer_leaflet_FINAL.pdf

 

Edited November 1, 2022 by KeithMacdonald
RMWeb image disaster recovery

[KeithMacdonald]

Swindon Town

 

Not just a football team.

 

Quote

Swindon Town was seen as the most important station on the line, and housed the M&SWJR's offices. There was a loop line, a locomotive turntable and a loco shed at the site. The loop line platform was used for the shuttle services to Swindon's GWR station when these were reinstated following the takeover of the M&SWJR by the GWR at the Grouping in 1923.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swindon_Town_railway_station

 

 

 

Another corner-of-the-room layout? Might need a large room though. Here's one we prepared earlier:

 

 

Quote

Swindon Town station was heavily used in early years, but increasingly suffered from the concentration of traffic at the main GWR station as the focus of the town shifted away from the Old Town area to the newer parts that developed around the GWR station and the railway works there.

 

Is that cause or effect?

 

Quote

Passenger and goods traffic on the M&SWJR fell very steeply after the Second World War and the line closed to passengers in 1961. Goods facilities were withdrawn in 1966, although freight trains conveying materials for the construction of the M4 motorway continued until 1972 when the track was abandoned. 

 

As mentioned by @CME and Bottlewasher

 

 

Edited November 1, 2022 by KeithMacdonald
RMWeb image disaster recovery

[KeithMacdonald]

For those of us keener on the GWR / BR(W) era for modelling, I've found the 1942 edition of the same 25 inch OS map, and revised the track plan. If anyone would like the AnyRail files, drop me a PM . Your choice of turntable may vary. The presence of more sidings might have been because there was a lot of military traffic up & down the M&SWJR in this period.

 

 

 

Just off-map (on the right as we look at it here, in the direction that Marlborough Lane is pointing), one would now get to Intel Corporation (UK). Which now provides the means and methods for us to tele-commute instead of catching the train.

 

Edited November 1, 2022 by KeithMacdonald
RMWeb image disaster recovery

[KeithMacdonald]

As the railway route leaves Swindon Town, it turns south once more, on its way up hill through Burderop Wood to reach Chiseldon. On the way it goes through Broome Manor, which folks might remember as the name of one of the GWR 4-6-0 Manor Class (7805).

 

 

The railway path is now a nice walking/running/cycling trail all the way to Marlborough. Sustrans route 42 to Chiseldon, then route 482 to Marlborough.

 

 

 

Edited November 1, 2022 by KeithMacdonald
RMWeb image disaster recovery

[caradoc]

8 hours ago, KeithMacdonald said:

Swindon Town

 

Not just a football team.

 

Sorry, but coming as I do from Oxford, I need to correct that:

 

Swindon Town

 

Not even a football team.

 

[KeithMacdonald]

Chiseldon

 

Quote

Chiseldon was sited on a curved section of track in the middle of the village of Chiseldon, and was for many years busy with both goods traffic, primarily agricultural, and passengers.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiseldon_railway_station

 

Passengers? On the M&SWJR?

 

Quote

Many village men found work on the railway or in the railway works - new houses were built in the early 1900s to accommodate commuters working in Swindon.

 

https://www.chiseldonlhg.org.uk/about-chiseldon.html

 

 

 

Other passengers included army personnel, but they mostly went through the Chisledon Camp Halt, about one mile further south.

 

 

 

What's of interest to us as modellers? A passing-loop and a few sidings. That "goods traffic, primarily agricultural" might mean more fertiliser and some cattle wagons. There was an iron and brass foundry close to the station (visible on the map above). Not sure if it contributed to the goods traffic though?

 

Curiously, iron working in Chiseldon may go back at least 3,000 years.

 

Quote

The Chiseldon Cauldrons were discovered in November 2004 in a field to the south west of the village.  It was a unique find: the largest group of Iron Age cauldrons ever to be discovered in Europe.

https://www.chiseldonlhg.org.uk/the-cauldrons.html

 

I can't pass by Chiseldon without giving an appreciative nod towards Peter Rutter' excellent OO Gauge layout:

http://www.swindonsotherrailway.co.uk/prut1.html

 

 

Edited November 1, 2022 by KeithMacdonald
RMWeb image disaster recovery

[KeithMacdonald]

Chisledon Camp Halt (Or Draycot Halt)

 

From Chilsedon, the railway turns and heads south in parallel with the "Roman Road" (a.k.a. A346).  Just a mile away is Chisledon Camp Halt.
 

The history of this halt has already been eloquently expressed by our very own @CME and Bottlewasher

 

 

 

 

One-inch version

https://maps.nls.uk/view/106027387

and 25-inch version

https://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=14&lat=51.50605&lon=-1.71627&layers=11&b=1&marker=51.416609,-1.724272

 

Edited November 1, 2022 by KeithMacdonald
RMWeb image disaster recovery

[CME and Bottlewasher]

4 hours ago, KeithMacdonald said:

Chiseldon

 

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiseldon_railway_station

 

Passengers? On the M&SWJR?

 

 

https://www.chiseldonlhg.org.uk/about-chiseldon.html

 

Other passengers included army personnel, but they mostly went through the Chisledon Camp Halt, about one mile further south.

 

 

What's of interest to us as modellers? A passing-loop and a few sidings. That "goods traffic, primarily agricultural" might mean more fertiliser and some cattle wagons. There was an iron and brass foundry close to the station (visible on the map above). Not sure if it contributed to the goods traffic though?

 

Curiously, iron working in Chiseldon may go back at least 3,000 years.

 

https://www.chiseldonlhg.org.uk/the-cauldrons.html

 

I can't pass by Chiseldon without giving an appreciative nod towards Peter Rutter' excellent OO Gauge layout:

http://www.swindonsotherrailway.co.uk/prut1.html

 

 

Please find hereunder a taster, Draycott Camp Halt Sidings, Series 1 Land Rover (RAF Wroughton Station CO's pet), in the yard picking up a crate of something nice for the COs private quarters.

On 03/03/2021 at 12:26, Fat Controller said:

Was the 'specialist plant' Poclain 360 degree wheeled excavators? These seem to have been used in a lot of locations

Yes they were, I vaguely remember them, I was about 4 years old?

Edited March 5, 2021 by CME and Bottlewasher

[KeithMacdonald]

24 minutes ago, CME and Bottlewasher said:

Draycott Camp Halt Sidings, Series 1 Land Rover (RAF Wroughton Station CO's pet), in the yard picking up a crate of something nice for the COs private quarters.

 

Hmmm, now why does that remind me of Chief Petty Officer Pertwee and The Missing Jeep?

 

[CME and Bottlewasher]

On 03/03/2021 at 00:53, KeithMacdonald said:

 

Listen very carefully. I shall say this only once!

 

Some of those facilities are already well documented and in the public domain now. The "Auxiliary Units" had bunkers all over Wiltshire and Gloucestshire. In fact, HQ for the whole operation was just two miles from Highworth Station, at Coleshill House. See https://www.staybehinds.com/

 

Back in 1941, my dear old Dad was busy guarding a northern zone of what was the Supermarine factory at South Marsdon.  All sorts of strange stuff passed by on its way up the line to Highworth (and beyond).

 

The Swindon Spitfire Story 

http://www.swindonweb.com/index.asp?m=8&s=116&ss=400

 

Be careful what you ask for at Highworth Post Office

https://www.staybehinds.com/article/highworth-post-office-swindon-advertiser-19-aug-2013

 

Be brave, mon ami!

 

Ha ha, I loved "Allo Allo", based, loosely on "Secret Army". I can't now watch the latter without thinking of the former. Lol!

 

I'm very familiar with Highworth and indeed both old Post Offices. Remarkable really, in many ways the SAS were formed at Highworth/Coleshill, Coleshill was also home of that lovely gifted fellow

George Martin and I've even seen Justin Haywood in Highworth. Re the last ditch? Our school had police and bomb disposal out a few times, grenades, Bren Guns etc found by us youngsters as we played - unwittingly - commandoes in the same fields that the last ditch and fledgling SAS did. Two of my uncles went on to join one element of the special forces, the underwater knife fighters. A friend found a rusty old Bren Gun, ploughed up by his dad (sadly my friend passed away in the early 2000s after being an avid collector and reenactor of WWII era), he was allowed to keep that. The one that was mint new old stock, wrapped in greased paper? No one was allowed to keep that - spoilsports! It might have come in handy - I wonder if they used 7.62 full metal jackets? I also found some weird military stuff in a barn near Coleshill, I left it well alone! And I lost my dad's compass - idiot - near to the old POW camp between Highworth and Coleshill. Mike, a well known, early, collector of military vehicles (predating Bruce Crompton et al by a few decades) lived there too, his old property appeared on Escape to the Country a year or two back.

 

Supermarine? Fine airfield, could be again I suppose. My dad's boss kept a Piper Twin Comanche there and dad used to collect him and/or was forced to fly with him at times ha ha! Sometimes he'd fly into Draycott as well.

 

You're quite right about a lot of the military aspects being in the public domain, including certain aspects such as the ROC. But even in the 1980s and 1990s, there were <coughs> farms that weren't all that they seemed, stone's throw from the last ditch, across the road from one, behind a big hedge? A thinly disguised landing strip, at a push a Hercules could get in, certainly a Twin Pin or Islander could.

 

Things, are, notwithstanding the pandemic, a lot quieter nowadays, more civil aviation, although USAF Fairford is set to gear up again soon, taking over from Mildenhall? 

 

 

 

Edited March 5, 2021 by CME and Bottlewasher

[KeithMacdonald]

12 hours ago, CME and Bottlewasher said:

Supermarine? Fine airfield, could be again I suppose. My dad's boss kept a Piper Twin Comanche there and dad used to collect him and/or was forced to fly with him at times ha ha! Sometimes he'd fly into Draycott as well.

 

Draycott airfield (a.k.a. Swindon Airport) is still there.

 

"By the way" notes:

 

1) Broome Manor gave name to GWR 4-6-0 Manor Class (7805).

Did Draycott give name to GWR 4-6-0 Manor Class (7810) Draycott Manor?

Err no, it was another Draycott, near Thame.

https://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=14&lat=51.74854&lon=-1.04017&layers=11&b=1

But Rule 1 can be applied.

e.g.

Dapol 4S-001-006 GW Manor 4-6-0 7810 Draycott Manor BR Green Early Crest

https://www.cheltenhammodelcentre.com/locomotives~1069-c/Dapol-4s-001-006-gw-manor-4-6-0-7810-draycott-manor-br-green-early-crest~4s001006-p.html

 

2) Draycott Camp Halt Sidings are elusive on official OS maps, but Swindon's Other Railway has found a plan of the camp with its sidings and a platform. It looks like it's from the WW1 era when the camp still had lots of horses and stables.

http://www.swindonsotherrailway.co.uk/cc168.html

 

3) Draycott Camp Hospital

The siding also went past the mortuary and hospital. At first, I'd assumed the hospital was for troops that had been wounded on the battlefield and then evacuated. But it turns out that most of the wounds were self-inflicted away from the battlefield.

 

Quote

In 1915, a 400-bed wooden hospital was built in J lines to deal with casualties evacuated from  France. This was later increased by a further 100 beds under canvas.  A second 1106-bed hospital was established in L Lines in late 1917, solely for the treatment of venereal disease.

https://www.chiseldonlhg.org.uk/the-camp.html

 

I'm not modelling that!